proverb · Traditional
'Tis a blot on his escutcheon.
A damaging act can leave a mark on someone’s reputation. The blot pictures conduct that spoils an otherwise respected public image.
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586 matching explanations
proverb · Traditional
'Tis easy to find a staff to beat a dog.
Someone determined to punish or mistreat another can often find a pretext. Examine whether the supposed reason is fair rather than accepting it because an accusation has been made.
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"Care not," would have.
The saying puts a claim of not caring beside a wish to have something. Its compact contrast suggests indifference may coexist with desire.
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"Hardly ever" saves many a lie.
A careful qualification such as hardly ever can prevent an exaggerated claim from becoming false. Use it when it accurately describes the exceptions, rather than as a convenient way to hide them.
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"Sour grapes," as the fox said when he could not reach them.
Someone may dismiss a desired thing after finding they cannot obtain it. The unreachable grapes picture a change in the account of its value, without proving that every negative judgement after disappointment is dishonest.
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A bad excuse is better than none at all.
An inadequate explanation may seem preferable to offering none. The proverb values some response over silence, but a bad excuse can also mislead or weaken trust; it is not permission to invent a justification.
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A bad work man blames his tools.
The saying pictures an unsuccessful worker blaming their tools. It questions an explanation that shifts responsibility away from skill or conduct.
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A broken friendship may be soldered but will never be sound.
The saying solders a broken friendship but denies that it becomes sound. It presents repaired trust as permanently weakened.
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A broken leg is not healed by a silk stocking.
An attractive surface does not repair an underlying problem. The broken-leg image contrasts decoration with what a difficulty actually requires, encouraging attention to causes and function without dismissing appearance or presenting a medical treatment rule.
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A clear conscience is a sure card.
Acting in a way one can honestly defend may provide steadiness under scrutiny. The clear conscience is pictured as a reliable advantage, without making someone’s confidence proof that their actions were fair or beyond question.
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A close mouth catcheth no flies.
Refraining from unnecessary speech can prevent an avoidable mistake or disclosure. The closed-mouth image values discretion in a particular moment, without making silence always wise or forbidding questions, objections and requests for help.
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A closed mouth gathers no foot.
The saying pictures a closed mouth avoiding a foot. Its bodily joke suggests that refraining from speaking can prevent a verbal blunder.
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A diplomat must always think twice before he says nothing.
A diplomat thinking twice before saying nothing makes silence itself a considered communication choice. The saying plays on caution normally associated with speaking.
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A fair promise binds a fool.
A pleasing promise binding a fool questions commitment secured by attractive words rather than demonstrated reliability. The saying warns about the appeal of an offer.
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A false report rides post.
A false report can travel quickly as people repeat it. Speed or widespread repetition does not establish accuracy, so check the basis of a claim before passing it on.
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A fault confessed is half redressed.
Acknowledging a fault begins the work of putting it right. Confession can make repair possible, but it does not by itself undo harm or entitle the person responsible to forgiveness.
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A fault once denied is twice committed.
Denying a known mistake can add dishonesty to the original fault. Trying to avoid responsibility may deepen the harm and make repair more difficult.
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A few people don’t say what they think, and some others don’t think before they speak.
Not saying what one thinks is contrasted with speaking before thinking. The saying identifies two different gaps between thought and expression.
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A fool flaunts his folly.
The saying makes a fool display their folly openly. It criticises pride or conspicuousness in conduct the speaker considers unwise.
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A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
The saying contrasts seeking understanding with enjoying the expression of one’s own opinion. It criticises speaking that has no interest in learning.
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A friend to all is a friend to none.
The saying denies deep friendship to someone friendly with everyone. It questions whether broad sociability allows particular commitment.
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A friend's eye is a good mirror.
The saying makes a friend’s eye a mirror. It values the perspective a trusted friend can offer about oneself.
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A friend’s frown is better than a foe’s smile.
The saying prefers a friend’s frown to an opponent’s smile. It values candid concern over an attractive appearance of goodwill.
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A full purse maketh the mouth to speak.
Resources can give someone confidence or influence in speaking. The full purse is pictured as enabling a voice that might otherwise hesitate or be ignored.
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